The Relationship between Trauma and Delinquent Decision Making among Adolescent Female Offenders: Mediating Effects

Abstract

Though past research studies show a relationship between trauma exposure and delinquency, none examine the relationship between trauma and perceptions of delinquent decision making among adolescent female offenders. Such an understanding is important because for females, physical or sexual abuse tends to start earlier and last longer than it does for males. As a result, adolescent females are more likely to have a higher prevalence of mental health or emotional disturbances, which may contribute to poor decision making and subsequent delinquency. Two-hundred and thirteen detained adolescent female offenders were administered a quantitative measure of decision making and the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-Version 2 (MAYSI-2). Results show that trauma is a predictor of delinquent decision making among adolescent female offenders. The impact of trauma on decision making was mediated by indicators of mental health or emotional disturbance such as anger, substance abuse, depression, somatic complaints, and suicidal ideation. Implications for identification and treatment are discussed.